Mintz Levin Attorney Susan M. Finegan Appointed to Massachusetts’ Judicial Nominating Commission by Governor Deval Patrick
5/18/2010
Boston, MA - Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has named Mintz Levin attorney Susan M. Finegan to the Commonwealth's Judicial Nominating Commission, the entity that identifies candidates and advises the Governor with respect to the appointment of judges in the Massachusetts appellate and trial courts.
Ms. Finegan, a member of Mintz Levin's Litigation Practice and Chair of its Pro Bono Committee, was one of three newly appointed Commissioners who were sworn in by the Governor last month.
The non-partisan Judicial Nominating Commission consists of twenty- one people, all of whom are appointed by the Governor and serve a minimum of a one-year term. Commissioners are selected based on their knowledge of the judicial system and their experience in the needs and operation of the Massachusetts courts.
"Sue, as a highly-skilled litigator, brings a keen understanding of the qualities necessary to carry out the responsibilities of a judicial officer," said Joe Hameline, Chairman of Mintz Levin's Litigation Practice and a member of its Policy Committee. "She also, by virtue of the extensive pro bono work she has overseen across the Commonwealth, understands the importance of a diverse judiciary that is reflective of the citizens of Massachusetts."
Ms. Finegan, whose firm responsibilities now focus exclusively on managing the firm wide pro bono program, previously handled complex commercial, white collar, defamation, land use, and insurance defense matters in both state and federal trial and appellate courts.
Ms. Finegan is co-Chair of the Boston Bar Association's Delivery of Legal Services Section and a member of the Task Force on Expanding the Civil Right to Counsel. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Women's Bar Foundation. In 2006, she was appointed to the Massachusetts Trial Court's Gender Equality Advisory Board. In 2009 she received the Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly "Women of Justice" award.
In addition to her work on the Pro Bono Committee, Ms. Finegan is a member of the firm's Diversity Committee, a member of the Boston Office Hiring Committee, and the chair of the Litigation Section's Associate Development, Evaluation, and Advancement Committee.
Ms. Finegan received her B.A. from Dartmouth College and her J.D. from Boston College.
